Training and Rehab - The Pit Bull Image
Anyone who truly knows K-9 Coach, understands that as a company we are really a family of people committed to the health and welfare of every dog, whether in our immediate care or in the external community. Our philosophy of creating positive experiences for as many dog and owner teams as we can extends throughout our business – from training to grooming to retail – and we believe that each and every dog should be evaluated on their own merits, as individuals.
In the community, many of our staff are active volunteers and fosters for dog rescue groups or welfare organizations. It is also our goal to be influential leaders in the care, training and rehabilitation of dogs. To do this we share our knowledge, experience and insights with everyone from the client who walks in our front door – to the shelter worker trying to save as many dogs as he can – to the trainer in Iowa who needs help understanding the fear aggression issues of a client's dog.
K-9 Coach, and in particular our owner Amber Burckhalter, has been involved in the rescue, assessment and rehabilitation of many, MANY dogs over 13+ years – of almost any breed you could think of!
In that regard, Amber was recently invited by the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT – the dog training industry’s biggest professional group) to contribute an article about her experiences, leadership and insights into appropriate and effective processes for evaluating and rehabilitating pit-bulls.
These much abused, maligned and media-centric dogs are rescued from illegal breeders and fighting rings, or are simply brought into shelters as strays or owner surrenders. Amber’s article aims to educate and advise other trainers, shelter workers and the general public on best practices when handling intake for these dogs, and in determining whether individual dogs are suitable pets.
The attached report from the APDT Chronicle is the first of a 3-part article on The Pit Bull Project.
What are your thoughts on pit bulls? Do you think they're accurately portrayed in the media and pop culture? Tell us in the comments.
Glenda Krebs
8:10 am on Thursday, June 7, 2012
It is the people who choose pit bulls for antisocial reasons that is the problem. Not only are thee people antisocial, they do not care about the dogs welfare any more than they do about people. Pit bulls should only be sold to people holding a license to have a bully breed. This license should come with requirements such as a stable job to provide for & properly home for the animal. Perhaps the license should be as stringent as someone wishing to adopt a child, or more so as an uncared for animal can become a public menace or nuisance.
Sheila Barrie
11:05 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012
Thanks so much for your comments Glenda - it is nice to see the passion and true concern for these dogs. As far as we are concerned, all dogs should be assessed as individuals and not tarred with characteristics such as aggression across an entire breed. Owner responsibility is VITAL!
Glenda Krebs
8:38 am on Thursday, June 7, 2012
Too add further to my comments regarding licensing for what insurance companies call "Bully Breeds" The license should have teeth in that anyone knowing that someone is keeping or illegally breeding a bully breed can be reported, fined and face loss of the animal.
Currently landlords and homeowners face cancellation of insurance for having one of these breeds. Why not make is a little easier that if one has a license to properly own & care for one of these breeds that homeowners are allowed to keep their homeowners insurance? This would allow for less owner surrender of animals who are forced out of thier homes because of insurance companies policies. If antisocial people choose to continue to be a burden on taxpayers with thier blatant irresponsibilty it is up to the taxpayers to come up with a plan to protect the general public from these human predators.
Glenda Krebs
11:29 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012
Pitbulls are always harder for rescue groups to re-home and the shelters have to euthanize astonishing numbers of these intelligent loyal companions. The dogs are innocent victims of shortsighted irresponsible humans, who supposedly are thinking people. So as a result, more regulations, tax dollars and government intervention are required as a response. It would save more money in the long run if the average pitbull fancier was properly educated about the responsibilities of taking care of a living creature for social purposes rather than selfish or financial reasons. The regulation of pitbulls would probably be a legal way to lead to helping solve many other social ills at the same time as the stereotype of the person(s) who desire pitbulls are often intertwined with other undesirable social behaviors. Since the orignial question was how does the media contribute with the bad sterotype, one can say that a film clip can be made showing the horrific consequences of irresponsible pet ownership can be shown to any person surrendering their pet at a shelter. Many people are not aware that owner surrendered animals are put to death at animal control shelters. Spend tax dollars on a film educating the persons who use the animal control facilities as a pet dumping ground!
Brian
6:00 am on Saturday, August 11, 2012
I found a stray pit bull over seven years ago. He was running in the middle of a major intersection in Atlanta. Stopped in the left turn lane and opened the door and he jumped in a made himself at home. Took him to the vet to fix up is scrapes and broken leg and after a bath to get rid of the dirt and fleas he was good as new. Then I trained with Barkbusters to learn how to handle and psychologically control him and now owning a pit is a breeze. I walk every day through my 2 mile neighborhood and socialize him with my neighbors, and their cats and dogs. He has never exibited any aggression and is even good with cats. He loves cats. He has been a great dog for condo neighborhood living.